About Us

The Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization providing pre-hospital emergency medical care and transportation. We render aid and assistance to over 22,000 people in Summit.

Emergency Medical Services are provided at no charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all those in need. We respond to more than 2,100 emergency calls each year.

The Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad is considered a leader in Emergency Medical Services in the region and aids as the back-up response unit for many nearby towns throughout Union, Morris and Essex Counties. In 2017 the Squad responded to 255 mutual aid calls in 10 surrounding towns..

The Squad is run by officers and a Board of Trustees who are elected from among the membership.

The Squad belongs to several organizations which assist us in providing training, gaining access to the current trends and information in the EMS field and help to share information and resources with other emergency services providers. These include:

2017 Response Statistics

Emergency

9-1-1 Emergencies

2,155

Non-Emergency

Transportation

26

Event Standby

36

TOTAL

2182

In 2017 the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad answered a total of 2,182 calls for help. Of these, 2,155 were emergencies, 26 were pre-arranged transportations, and 36 were as standby services at fire scenes and special events in town. Over 100 different volunteer members responded to these calls throughout the year putting 7,659 miles across our three ambulances and our first response vehicle.

We have consistently answred 2,000 or more calls for help each year. for the past several years.

We also provide mutual aid to surrounding communities to assist them when they are unable to answer an emergency call, and occasionally receive such help from surrounding communities when it is necessary in Summit. In 2017 the Squad was able to assist 10 different neighboring towns a total of 255 times, and increase over 2016 of 13 calls. This level of assistance is a direct reflection of our healthy membership and dedication of our many volunteers.

When to Call an Ambulance

If you have to consider calling EMS, you probably need it. When in doubt, call the ambulance! Dial 9-1-1

Diabetic Emergencies - known or suspected diabetics who appear to be disoriented

Burns - that appear to be more serious than sunburn, that were caused by a chemical or that are accompanied by any respiratory distress.

Fractures - any injury that results in a possible broken bone. These are usually accompanied by pain and swelling.

Injuries - resulting from a fall, automobile accident or any other trauma where the patient is unable to move under their own power or has loss of feeling to an area of the body.

When calling for help...

Identify yourself. Be sure that the dispatcher knows exactly where the emergency is and the phone number you are calling from. If calling from an apartment or condo, be sure to include the unit number.Explain briefly, the nature of the emergency. Is the patient conscious? breathing? bleeding? What caused the injury? How many people are ill or injured? Is there danger of further injury (from fire, smoke, electricity, etc.)

Hang up last. The dispatcher may need more information from you and may be able to give you first aid instructions over the phone.

Until help arrives...

Remain calm. Someone should stay with the patient. Talk to and reassure them.

Unless absolutely necessary, do not attempt to move the patient.

Is your house number clearly visible from the street? If available, assign someone to meet the ambulance at the street. be sure that any outside lights are turned on.